Mohali: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Thursday announced to set up an advanced institute of dairy farming in the city. The joint collaboration with Israeli firm Dairy Farming Solutions (DFS) will impart latest technical know-how to the state's dairy farmers for improving the milch cattle quality, he said. The institute will also provide the technique for the scientific handling and processing of milk.

Dairy farming has a huge scope and bright future in the state, Badal said at the valedictory function of the two-day state-level seminar on 'Advanced Technology in Dairy Farming' organised by the Punjab Dairy Development Board here at state institute of Health and Family Welfare.

He asked the dairy development department to work out a comprehensive plan to ensure cheap loans from the Cooperative Banks, especially to the small and marginal farmers who had a herd of two-four animals so that they could supplement their income from the dairy farming.

He assured the Punjab Progressive Dairy Farmers' Association of all possible help to make dairy farming a mass movement towards a major push for diversification of agriculture.

He asked the association to send him a detailed report based upon their suggestions to further improve the dairy farming in a big way.

He also directed the Financial Commissioner Animal Husbandry to thoroughly examine the proposal put forth by the association for seeking subsidy on the Total Mix Ration (TMR) machines and other related equipments.

He assured the members of the association for setting up a chain of milk booths and dairy farming centres across the state, especially in and around Ludhiana to boost the dairy prospects.

Badal reiterated that the state government would make all out efforts to develop dairy farming by providing basic facilities and incentives.

He also emphasised the need to develop best breed of cows and buffaloes to enhance the production of milk in terms of quality and quantity.